Manchester United host Arsenal FC on Sunday in what is no doubt the headliner of this weekend’s Premier League action. Ironically though, both sides will approach this match with one eye on the game/league standings and one eye on their cup competitions/securing a trophy this season.
United are looking to hold off Liverpool and finish runner-up to Manchester City this season while at the same time, making sure they stay healthy and right for the FA Cup final against Chelsea on May 19. For Arsenal, they are trying to fend off Burnley and lock down sixth place, which would at least give them Europa League qualification next season.
Of course that is not the ultimate goal, as the bigger prize is winning this year’s Europa League tournament and thus get back into Champions League next season.
The Sports Bank MUFC Starting XI Prediction 4-3-3
Alexis Sanchez Romelu Lukaku Jesse Lingard
Paul Pogba Nemanja Matic Ander Herrera
Ashley Young Phil Jones Chris Smalling Antonio Valencia
David de Gea
Obviously, the main story line (outside of Wenger/Mourinho vs. Wenger) here is Alexis Sanchez getting the opportunity to face his former team. Henrikh Mkhitaryan may or may not get the same chance as he faces a late fitness test.
Ahead of this match, Sanchez told MUTV that he believes United have more history than Arsenal.
Arsenal FC Starting XI Prediction: go to this link
Both Team manager press conferences: coming tomorrow
Injury and fitness report for both teams: go to this link
Odds via Odds Checker: United 6/13, Draw 50/13, Arsenal FC 15/2
Prediction: United 2, Arsenal FC 1
As always, feel free to post your own starting XI predictions for both teams, and well as your final score predictions
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV and the Tribune company’s blogging community Chicago Now.
Follow him on Twitter, Instagram, Sound Cloud, LinkedIn and YouTube.